International Desk Published ; Dubai – Defying long-standing US sanctions, a Chinese oil tanker has successfully crossed the Strait of Hormuz, according to reports from news agency Reuters.
The vessel, identified as the ‘Rich Starry’, is the first sanctioned tanker to exit the Persian Gulf through the strait since the recent blockade measures began.
According to data from the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG), MarineTraffic, and Kpler, the tanker was tracked leaving the region after its most recent stop at the Hamriyah Port in the United Arab Emirates, where it reportedly loaded oil.
The vessel’s owner, Shanghai Xuanrun Shipping Co. Ltd., had previously been placed under US sanctions for engaging in trade with Iran.
More Sanctioned Vessels on the Move
In a related development, another sanctioned tanker, the ‘Murulkishan’, is expected to enter the Strait of Hormuz today. Reports indicate the ship is scheduled to load crude oil in Iraq on April 16. The ‘Murulkishan’ has a history of transporting oil from Russia and Iran, frequently operating under the radar of international restrictions.
The movement of these vessels highlights the ongoing challenges faced by Western powers in enforcing maritime sanctions against China and its trading partners in the Middle East.